Ukrainian Families Affected by War

A phone call came in to one of our stations in Ukraine. A young girl on the line said,

“A bomb blew up our house right after we left it…Now we are in this big building with a lot of people…I don’t know anyone…I’m scared…”

Hundreds of shocking calls like this pour into FEBC’s counseling hotline daily. This frightened girl shared her experiences on the phone with a trained counselor, who listened patiently and gave comfort and peace from God’s Word.

Of the thousands of people who call in every month, 10% are young children. FEBC Ukraine counselors are specialized in taking calls like these, listening to kids talk about their fears and concerns, and praying with them.

Special programs have also been created to help answer children’s spiritual questions like, “What does it mean to be a Christian?” and, “How can I know Jesus?”

Families Separated

For many children, the war has meant being separated from their fathers, many of whom have been drafted into the war.

Just days ago, Max Shargaev, FEBC Ukraine’s Program Director, was drafted by the military to serve as a chaplain. Max’s wife and young child are now alone, as he travels with the army closer to the front lines of battle.

This is happening to countless families in Ukraine. When the war started, tens of thousands of men, ages 18-60 were conscripted to fight, with more being drafted into the military every day since.

Despite such desperate circumstances, God is moving in powerful ways in Ukraine. A record number of stories are streaming in from listeners who have turned to God during the crisis.

Listeners Finding Faith in God

One FEBC listener who just lost her son wrote, “You revived my faith in God today. The songs you sang about God brought me to tears, and I repented before Him. I was so hopeless after the death of my son that I had stopped believing. Now, even though it still hurts, God has given me the strength I need to go on living.”

Another listener, who was originally uninterested in Christianity said, “When I started listening to your programs, I would write insulting comments on your website. But as I listened to your advice, my life continued to improve. My work situation got better, and so did my relationship with my children. I realized that God had been helping me through your broadcasts.”

The Most Effective Message

It’s not only broadcasts that are leading people to Jesus. FEBC Ukraine team members are walking the streets and handing out booklets with prayers written in Ukrainian, as well as the phone number to FEBC’s prayer helpline.

Many listeners are praying daily, turning to the helpline, and placing their trust in Jesus. In just the last few months, over 400 people have come to faith in Christ on the phone lines alone.

What God has done in Ukraine up to this point is remarkable. As the outcome of the war remains uncertain, please continue to lift up the people of Ukraine in prayer. Our team relies on your prayer support and they are so grateful for ministry partners like you.

Today, FEBC’s Ukrainian broadcasters are sharing the hope that can only be found in Jesus Christ, and thousands are responding. The work is exhausting, and funding to continue and expand is needed right now.